If performance of the 2015 Corvette C7 Z06 dissapoints already, how much worse will the Z06 convertible perform?

Typically, coupe version of a high performance car has better characteristics than its drop top counterpart.  Convertible version of just any car will add weight while subtracting from its performance potential due to addition weight, loss of rigidity and unavoidable worse aerodynamics.

In the past, Corvette was certainly not immune from these consequences, on all mentioned above accounts, with one notable exception: minimum weight addition due to convertible top and associated mechanical components.  Until the very last two years of the previous generation of Corvette, there was a standard manually operated convertible top (at the end of the generation, an OPTIONAL power operated top was made available).

However, this latest generation of Corvette made a power operated roof mandatory, without a manual option and in turn, managed to add a whopping 80 pounds to already overweighed Stingray and the upcoming Z06 drop top variant. 

Now, 80 pounds is a pretty substantial weight gain, especially since it is concentrated relatively high in the vehicle.  Considering that the current coupe version of Z06 weighs in between 3550 to 3590 with manual transmission plus another 15 pounds for the automatic transmission, the convertible version will be setting new Corvette weight records, approaching mind boggling 3700 pounds which actually will be the heaviest Corvette ever. 

Obviously, addition of extra power is not an option for Z06, at least not in the OEM way and this raises a very interesting question: how will that extra weight and worse aerodynamics affect the already crippled and heat soaked newest "flagship"? 

If the performance of the coupe is any indication, the problems will become considerably worse, making any ground effects on this porker a standard waxer and Cars and Coffeee issue, without any meaningful high performance annotation.  The higher drag will certainly affect the quarter mile and extra weight will at least slightly, cut down on the from the dig racing attempts. 

The additional drag will without any doubt have negative effect on the heat soak issues and overall drivetrain overheating, this is a given, considering absolute lack of cooling for both the transmission and differential.  The extent of this secondary failure is yet to be quantified but it does not look good already.  Certainly, nobody considering even an imitation of competitive driving or racing against other cars should be considering this super porker seriously.

Then again, seeing the behavior of the Corvette buyers right now, there should be plenty of "surprised" buyers complaining after signing on the dotted line and providing more entertainment to this blog.